How to Live as a Wandering Knight – Chapter 97.1

𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 (𝟗)

“Even if that knight is a demon, it doesn’t matter. We’re not asked to fight him, are we?”

“. . . . . .”

“We just need to bring out the magistrate.”

The defense captain had no particular attachment to this city either. As Gurelic had said, the city’s defense captains were usually of mercenary origin. They didn’t bury their bones in the city just because they had been paid there for a long time.

If the city falls, just take the property and go somewhere else!

However, the Slovak Kingdom wanted the magistrate. In case of an emergency, they were to bring out the magistrate. The defense captain couldn’t ignore that order.

‘𝘐 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵. . .’

It was unexpected that the enemy’s vanguard could invade so boldly. Nor did they anticipate the others would betray them so quickly.

Anyway, there was only one thing to do now. They had to take the magistrate out somehow.

There were no other subordinates left, so they had no choice but to coax and persuade them.

“According to the spy, the magistrate is confined in the mansion. He will stay there until the duke decides otherwise. Nobody expects him to be rescued from outside. Moreover, the guards are not that strong.”

Starting with gold coins and up to fiefs, the mercenaries began to be tempted, forgetting their fears.

What does it matter if the opponent is a demon? If they don’t meet him, they can make a fortune!

“. . .Is that true?”

“I’m with you guys in this. It’s my life at stake too. Would I lie about such a thing?”

The mercenaries nodded, their eyes shining at the defense captain’s words. If they could secretly whisk away the magistrate and escape the city, they could live lavishly in a town for the rest of their lives.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

Books were precious and not widely circulated. They were not necessarily written in the Empire’s language. The monks who copied books in the monasteries also used the ancient imperial language.

Naturally, the books Johan had selected were written in the ancient imperial language.

“Now that I think about it, does Repiata-gong know the ancient imperial language?”

Just because one liked books didn’t mean they knew the ancient imperial language. Books were held for their value and could be a symbol of dignity in themselves.

After all, the nobles could hire readers to read for them.

“Well. . . It should be fine.”

“?”

“Even if he doesn’t know, he won’t admit it out of pride, will he?”

“. . . . . .”

Johan looked at Suetlg incredulously. Suetlg avoided his gaze, seemingly embarrassed.

“You said he liked books, didn’t you?”

“Whether he likes books or not, that’s another matter, isn’t it?”

“That’s fine.”

The books Johan had chosen were not particularly unusual: <The Baptism of Saint Gereos>, <The Gospel of Zoleo>, <The Four Seasons of Duke Milene>. . .

As they were difficult to produce, books usually related to the church or represented the nobility’s authority. Going beyond this would enter a suspicious category.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸      

As soon as Brünhilde saw Johan, she hugged him tightly. Although smaller than Johan, Brünhilde was a knight taller and stronger than most. Johan slowly pushed away Brünhilde’s arms with his hands.

‘𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘸𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬.’

“I’m truly grateful for your bravery! Gong is also pleased.”

“I just did what had to be done. Is Gong inside?”

“Yes! The others have already arrived.”

Johan rubbed his side and nodded. Caenerna, standing beside him, asked,

“Is that a book you’re holding? Did you bring a book as a gift?”

“Yes. How are you feeling?”

“My magic is not fully restored, and my head aches like a hangover, but it’s bearable.”

Suetlg didn’t seem eager to join the gathering. In contrast, Caenerna enjoyed interacting with the powerful.

Currently aligned with the Emperor’s faction, but the more options for switching sides, the better.

Johan had suggested Caenerna accompany him to provide some comfort.

“I regret having pushed you into using magic.”

“. . .?”

Caenerna looked at Johan strangely. Normally, witnessing a magic surge meant either killing or preparing for trouble.

But this knight was apologizing instead. Although Caenerna knew Johan was a unique knight involved with magic, still. . .

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I didn’t expect an apology. . .?”

“It’s my fault for involving you. I’ll be more careful in the future.”

“You’d make a really good feudal lord.”

“Is that sarcasm?”

“No. It’s rare for nobles to treat a wizard like that. Normally, they are more. . .”

“Annoying? Arrogant?”

“I was going to say they act like a son of a b*tch, but that’s not incorrect either.”

Many thought court wizard Caenerna manipulated the Emperor for her gain, but she had her struggles.

For a wizard like her, the relationship with the employer was everything. A bad relationship meant life-threatening consequences for her subordinates.

Everything she did or didn’t do was blamed on magic. Such was the nature of magic.

She had to make even the impossible seem at least feasible.

“Nobles think magic can do anything. They think paying gold makes everything possible. Do you know what Cardirian wanted?”

“Not sure.”

“He wanted an elixir of youth, to make himself young and healthy again.”

Caenerna scoffed as she spoke.

“Is it possible?”

“I don’t know. What’s certain is that I don’t know how. . . Can you imagine how annoying it was to convince him?”

“Must have been terrible. Why serve such a master?”

“Because of the gold. They’re all the same, so better serve the one with more money.”

Johan nodded, finding the explanation oddly convincing. When he nodded in agreement, Caenerna looked astonished.

As Caenerna followed Johan, she stopped at the sight of an orc in the courtyard.

“Wait. . . That orc.”

“What about it?”

“It’s from the Alarhim family.”

Orcs didn’t believe in gods and were greedy for money. Kings and nobles despised orcs but always sought them when in need of money.

The Alarhim family was famously wealthy among orcs. Having such an orc was unusual.

“Impressive to have such a companion. I don’t know how it was managed. . . Ah. Of course, orcs are disrespectful non-believers.”

Caenerna, admiring the scene, changed her tone, realizing Johan was beside her. It would be hard for a devout knight to appreciate such praise.

“Wow. That person’s family is so wealthy? Do you know how one can become friends with an orc?”

“. . . . . .”

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